Multiple fatal injuries mar Kempton Park Lanzarote Hurdle card

Kempton Park’s Lanzarote Hurdle card on January 10 was overshadowed by a sequence of serious incidents that left three horses fatally injured and the racing community reeling. The most prominent loss was Kalif Du Berlais, a six-year-old Grade 1-winning chaser part-owned by Sir Alex Ferguson and trained by Paul Nicholls, who suffered a catastrophic shoulder injury after unseating jockey Harry Cobden in the Silviniaco Conti Chase.

Kalif Du Berlais appeared to make a jumping error, unseated Cobden and landed awkwardly. Racecourse veterinary staff attended immediately, assessed the injury as catastrophic and made the decision to euthanise on welfare grounds. Nicholls called the loss “a real kick in the teeth,” and praised the on-course veterinary response while lamenting the passing of a horse with significant potential.

On the same card, juvenile hurdler Wertpol fell heavily at the final flight and was fatally injured. A third runner, Peso, also suffered an injury, was pulled up during the race and subsequently could not be saved despite veterinary efforts. The racecourse and ITV Racing issued statements expressing condolences, and confirmed that expert veterinary teams were in attendance at the incidents.

The immediate impact is practical and emotional. Owners, trainers and stable staff face the financial and personal blow of losing valuable horses, while jockeys and race-day crews absorb the psychological toll of witnessing fatal incidents. For racegoers and local communities that support meetings like Kempton, the events raise familiar but urgent questions about jumps safety, course conditions and the limits of on-site emergency care. On-course vets acted swiftly and followed standard protocols; the decisions to euthanise were made when injuries were judged irrecoverable to prevent further suffering.

There will likely be follow-up from racing authorities and the connections involved, as is customary after multiple fatalities at a meeting. Those responsible for fixtures will review the incidents, examine footage and medical reports, and consider any procedural or infrastructure changes that could reduce similar risks. Trainers and jockeys will continue to weigh how to balance competitive goals with the welfare of horses navigating demanding obstacles.

The takeaway? These are painful reminders that jump racing carries inherent risks, and the community’s best response is practical: support the people affected, follow official updates from the racecourse and the connections, and engage constructively in welfare discussions. Our two cents? Keep the focus on transparent review and better safeguards so that the sport’s competitive heart can coexist with the highest possible standard of equine care.